Ielts course

Listening only once

In the IELTS Listening test the recordings are only played once. This reflects real life, where learners often only have one opportunity to understand something.

Common learners’ problems and advice

What I find difficult is when they spell their names.
Make sure you know how all the letters of the alphabet are pronounced.
correct

They speak so fast – how can I recognise the key words?

You need to listen for those words which are stressed – they will often be the important words.
correct

It’s so difficult when you’re not clear about the topic of the conversation.

Before the listening starts, look at the questions and try to think about the topic.
correct

I look at the words in the options in the question, but they often don’t use the same words in the recording.

Think about different ways of expressing the options.
correct

Because you only get to hear it once, I often miss the information.

In Section 1, you often know when the information you need is going to come because of the question that is asked before.
correct

I never know what I’m meant to be listening for, so I try to write everything down.

Just think about the information you need to complete the questions and focus on that.
correct

√ Well done! Now move on to Part 2 of this Unit.